Water main breaks impact Lakeside schools

A water main break near Lakeside Elementary caused minor inconveniences Monday and Tuesday.

The initial water main break occurred Monday around 1 p.m.

While the water main was being repaired, students were allowed to use bathroom facilities at Lakeside Community Chapel across the street, portable toilets were brought in and students were given bottled water. Somers-Lakeside Superintendent Joe Price said the district decided not to cancel school when considering it would be difficult for some parents to pick up children so late in the day when school ends at 3:15 p.m.

On Tuesday, the water main repair site experienced another break around 9:30 a.m. In addition to providing alternative bathroom facilities, students were bussed to Somers Middle School for lunch.

“It was quite an operation,” Price said about busing hundreds of elementary students in 15 minute intervals.

By 4 or 5 p.m. Tuesday the water main was fixed.

“The main has been fixed, I’m happy to report,” Price said noting that water lines were flushed and water tested before school started on Wednesday. “The water department said we’re good to go.”

Rodney Olson, Lakeside County water and sewer district general manager, said the pipe was undermined primarily from high ground water caused be recent weather, which disrupted sand bedding around the pipe.

“When the pipe was put in years ago they put sand down first and lay the pipe on the sand. Ground water gets wet and moves it and the pipe settles, and it came apart on a corner where the pipes connect,” Olson explained.

Crews replaced the sand with more stable pea gravel bedding.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.